The Israeli government decided today, Sunday, to expedite the implementation of a joint industrial zone project with Jordan, located on the border between the two countries, according to the Anatolia Agency and the German News Agency.
This came during a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid at his weekly cabinet meeting, the details of which were reported by the private Israeli Channel 14.
Lapid said, "28 years after the signing of the peace agreement with Jordan, we are taking the good-neighborly relations between the two countries a further step forward, and this is a breakthrough that will contribute significantly to the development and strengthening of the region."
"The final details of this project were finalized last week during my visit to Amman to meet King Abdullah... This is an initiative that will provide job opportunities for both countries, enhance our economic and political relations, and deepen peace and friendship," he added.
Lapid explained that the talk is about a joint industrial zone located on the border, which will allow Israeli and Jordanian businessmen to communicate directly, and will establish joint projects for trade, technology and local industry.
There was no immediate comment from the Jordanian government on the Israeli statements.
The Israeli channel said that the Israeli government approved the proposal of its President Yair Lapid and Minister of Regional Cooperation Issawi Freij to expedite the implementation of the joint industrial zone project with Jordan, which bears the name Jordan Gate.
She added, "Within the framework of the project that was presented for the first time during the talks that led to the signing of the "Wadi Araba" peace agreement with Jordan in 1994, it was decided to establish and operate the industrial zone (Jordan Gate) with the aim of deepening cooperation with the Kingdom."
She said, "The preparation of a model for the implementation of the industrial zone has started from the office of the Israeli Prime Minister and the Minister of Regional Cooperation, in cooperation with the Ministries of Transportation, Foreign Affairs, Economy and the Airports Authority."
Jordan Gate
For his part, Issawi Freij said that intensifying efforts in the Jordan Gate project was one of the main tasks of the Ministry of Regional Cooperation last year, and we were able to make great progress after a period full of obstacles.
The only Arab minister in the Israeli government continued, "Peace between us is not complete without economic and civil cooperation that allows the citizens of the two countries to enjoy its fruits."
"The implementation of the project will allow strengthening economic cooperation with the Kingdom of Jordan, and making a significant contribution to the economies of the two countries and the entire region," he added.
According to a statement by the Israeli Ministry of Regional Cooperation in October 2021, the goal of the project is to establish a joint industrial zone, to be established on the Jordanian side, including Israeli and Jordanian factories, while the Israeli side will constitute an internal logistical front and a base for transporting goods to Israeli ports.
According to the statement, the industrial zone is based on the principle of free trade between the two countries and the United States, within which an exemption from customs will be granted for products produced in the industrial zone and exported to the United States.
Minister of Transport and Road Safety Merav Michaeli commented, "I welcome every measure that would improve relations with the Kingdom of Jordan. We consider Jordan a strategic partner of crucial importance in the stability of the entire region," according to the German News Agency.
"We are committed to taking everything necessary to consolidate our relations with the Kingdom and help achieve common goals for it and the State of Israel," she added.
On July 28, Jordan's King Abdullah II held joint talks with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, in their first meeting at the Husseiniya Palace in the capital, Amman.